Getting Started on the Test Server

I've seen a few have questions on how to get going on the Test Server, so I thought I'd put together a quick guide to playing on Test.

NOTE: You'll sometimes see people say that using MQ on Test is safer than using it on live. This is not true. There is a smaller population base, so you have less chance of getting seen and reported, but you absolutely can get suspended and banned from Test just like you can on Live.

About the test server

• EQ devs use the test server to test new content before it's released to the public.
• All characters on the test server are automatically upgraded to Gold status.
• You still have to buy the latest expansion to have access to that content
• You can start at level 25 with a full set of classic era gear by using /testbuff on a new toon
• You can use /testcopy to copy an existing character from Live to the test server
• It is not uncommon to have significant bugs on the test server. Expect things not to work right sometimes. Expect EQ to crash sometimes. If you want a smooth experience, you should stick with live.
• Many of the paid Redguides resources (like the CWTN plugins) are free to use on the Test server.

Setting up a Test EQ Client
While you can run Test and Live from the same directory, it is highly recommended that you create a new EQ directory to play on Test. This will ensure that your EQ settings are separate between Test and Live. It will also keep you from re-patching Live and Test every time you switch between the two. This takes extra time and can also cause issues if the patcher doesn't update all of the files that it's supposed to update.

To set up a test client

1. Navigate to your EQ directory (default: C:\Users\Public\Daybreak Game Company\Installed Games)
2. Copy the Everquest folder
3. Paste the Everquest folder. You can paste it anywhere, but I usually make a directory called "Test" and paste it there.
4. Go into the folder and run Launchpad.exe. This will start the Everquest launcher that you're used to seeing.
5. On the launcher, click Advanced Tools
6. Click on Select Game Version
7. Change the selection from Live to Test and click Apply

This will update the EQ files in your new directory to whatever the current Test build is. Sometimes Test is true to Live, and there won't be any updates; sometimes, it's in a test state, and you'll see many files get updated.

TIP: You can right-click on Launchpad.exe inside your new directory and select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut) to create a shortcut on your desktop. You can rename the shortcut to Everquest Test (or whatever you want) to run Launchpad from your desktop quickly.

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Test buffing new characters
If you're starting a new crew on Test, you can test buff your new characters to get them to level 25 with a full set of gear. This gear is classic-era, level-appropriate gear, so it sucks by modern standards, but it's better than being naked.

To test buff yourself:

1. Target yourself
2. Type /testbuff

You'll automatically level 25 and have three bags of gear on your cursor.

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Copying Toons from Live
You can copy toons from Live as often as you want. If a toon with the same name in the same account already exists, it will overwrite the existing character on Test. It's important that you understand how this works. If you copy a toon to Test, spend a bunch of time leveling them up on Test, and then copy the same toon down again, you will lose everything on the existing Test toon. All progress. All gear. All bank slots. Everything.

This does, however, have its advantages. You can create "mule" characters to bring down as much gear as you want from live to test. You can /testcopy any individual toon every 8 hours. Many people have mules on Live servers with plat and nice gear. They'll copy this toon down to Test and transfer all of the plat and gear to another character, then 8 hours later, they'll repeat the same process.

To copy a toon

1. Login into the toon on your Live server
2. Target yourself
3. Type /testcopy

You'll then see a confirmation that /testcopy succeeded or failed. If it fails, it's usually because your copy is on cooldown or you are already logged in to that character on the Test server. Either way, you'll see an explanation of what the problem is.

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Living on Test
If you're just planning to test out some functionality, like the CWTN class plugins, you can just get started like you usually would. But, if you're planning to play on test long term, here are a few things you should note:

1. Platinum has no meaning on Test. Everyone has millions of plat from the above-mentioned test copy process. If you are on a new character and need money for spells, etc., just type "I'm new here, can someone send me some plat, please?" into general chat. Within minutes you will have millions of plat, probably some new gear, and some bags.
2. For the most part, nothing in the bazaar costs more than one plat. But it can be hard to find things. Keep one window with general chat open if you need gear. Several times a day, people will say, "Trader Up." This means they just test copied from their mules and have put a bunch of stuff on sale in the bazaar. You'll want to check the bazaar as soon as you see this because it goes fast.
3. Also, don't be afraid to ask nicely if anyone has XYZ available on copy. Not everyone bothers to put things in the bazaar, but people often have bags full of gear that they are happy to send over to anyone that asks for it.
4. Report bugs. The whole reason the test server exists is to test new content. When you run into a bug, you should report it on the DB forums or make sure that it's known in general chat. However, keep in mind that, as an MQ user, you also need to keep a low profile and anonymity on the forums. So don't say things like, "My whole crew just crashed when they zoned into PoK." This will just put on a watchlist for the try-hards that hate MQ users. Just be smart.